Thill-coupling



(No-Model.) 7

- P. J; MILLER. THILL- COUPLING.

110.411.04 1. f Patented Sept. 17. 18 89.

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' Ell MILLER.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS J. MILLER, OF OARROLLTON, KENTUCKY.

THlLL-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 411,044, datedSeptember 17, 1889.

Application filed January 9, 1889. Serial No. 295,821. (No model.)

T at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANCIS J. MILLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Carrollton, in the county of Carroll, State of Kentucky,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thill-Couplings,ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawings.

This invention has relation. to thill-couplings, and among the objectsin view are to provide a coupling which by its peculiar novelconstruction is adapted to receive, retain, and permit of an easyremoval of the shaft or shank-iron when occasion requires, and which isalso adapted for the reception of an antirattling device designed to aidin the retention of the shank-iron, which device is also readilyinserted to position and removed therefrom, the entire coupling andanti-rattler being simply constructed and easily applied.

Other objects and advantages of the inven- 7 tion will hereinafterappear, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in theclaim.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a transverse sectionof an axleprovided with a thill-coupling and anti-rattler constructed inaccordance with my invention. Fig.2 is a perspective of the coupling,the anti-rattler and shaft or shank-iron being removed. Fig. 3 is adetail in perspective of the end of the shaft or shank-iron, and Fig. 4is a similar view of the anti-rattler.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of thedrawings.

A represents the usual metal axle, upon which is secured in the usualmanner the wooden strip A.

B represents the thill-coupling; G, the thill or shaft, to which issecured the shank or thill-iron D.

The thill-clip B consists of the upper and lower axle, embracing plates1), terminating in screw-threaded bolt ends connected at the rear of theaxle with the usual connectingplate I), bound in position by bolts bapplied to the terminals 1). From the front face of the embracing-platethere project opposite thill-iron receiving ears or lugs b, which arerecessed upon their inner faces, as at b, the

forward walls of said recesses being semicircular, and the upper edgesof said recesses being open for the introduction of the thill-ironhereinafter described.

Bolted to the thill C in the usual manner is the thill or shank-iron D,which is of the usual construction, with the exception that, in lieu ofhaving the ordinary perforated eye at its rear end, it terminates in aT-head d of a length coincident with the space between the opposite earsb the measurement occurring at the recessed portion therein. The T-headis introduced in the recesses b and is cylindrical to correspond withthe curved or semicircular end walls of said recesses, so as topartially rotate therein with the motion of the horse, also beingcapable of being supported vertically when not in use.

E represents an anti-rattler, and the same comprises a bifurcated orrecessed plate 6, the opposite sides thereof being designed to rest uponthe upper surfaces of the opposite cars If. That metal partially removedto form the recess is bent upwardly, as at e, to form a thumb plate orlug. The plate 6 is preferably formed of spring metal, and is providedwith a depending spring-tongue 6 which is bent upon itself vertically,as at 6 and terminates directly below the forward end of the plate 6. Tothe terminal of this spring there is connected a metal or other bearingplate 6 formed with a curved bearing-surface 6, adapted to be pressedsnugly against the cylindrical surface of the T-head, and therebyprevent the same from moving within the recesses b The spring 6 may beeither formed as a part of the plate 6 or secured thereto, as desired;but I prefer to form the same integral therewith, as shown.

For the purpose of securing the anti-rattler in position and prevent thesame from being worked upwardly by the motion of the shafts or thills, Iform rearwardly-extending shoulders e at the rear end of the plate e,which shoulders are adapted to be sprung under transverse recesses 17formed in the front face of the thill-coupling immediately above theopposite lugs 6 The parts are all clearly shown as assembled in Fig. 1of the drawings, and to remove the thill or shaft it is only necessaryto press the lug c to the front to disengage the shoulders e from therecesses 71 and withdraw the anti-rattler, whereupon by bringing the T-head 6 opposite the openings in the upper 5 wells of the recesses b saidT-head may be withdrmvn from the thill.

Having described my invention and its operation, what I claim is- Theihill-coupling E, consisting of the em- TO bracing-plates Z), connectedby the plate Z) and bound in position by the nuts I)", and of thef0rwardly-projeeting opposite cars if, rcocssed as at b and having thetransverse recesses b", in combination with the thill C, hzwr 5 in g thethill-iron D, terminating in the T-head (Z, mounted in the recesses I),and with the spring e bent as at c and projected at 6, provided with theblock e at one end and with the supporting-plate e at the opposite end,which plate is formed with the thumb- 2o lug e and rearwardly-projectingshoulders 6 adapted to take into the recesses 17', substantially asspecified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS J. MILLER. Witnesses:

B. H. MEYER, F. BERNER.

